Please remember that this week will welcome 2026-27 Rotary District 7430 Governor, Jeremia Sensenig, to our in-person lunch meeting at The Gathering Place inside Christ Church UCC’s building at 75 East Market Street, Bethlehem (using the West-most door on Market St. for those who may not have been to this location previously), on Wednesday, September 9^th, 2026.  We would like to have as full an attendance as possible to hear DG Jeremiah’s direction for the District and to discuss with him our direction for our club for this and the coming years.  Please attend in person, if at all possible, but for those who cannot, we encourage you to join by Zoom at the link below.  We have set up a group DoorDash order for those of you who would like to have your lunch delivered directly to the meeting room.  You can place your order up until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, using the DoorDash link or QR code provided below. For those who prefer to bring your own lunch, you are welcome to do so. 

Following the regular meeting, the District Governor will spend some time with our Club Board for a more detailed discussion and we will hold our regular monthly board meeting, postponed from last week.  As always, any member is welcome to stay and sit in on the board meeting at their own discretion.  Minutes will also be posted to ClubRunner following each board meeting, as usual.

Lunch order information: https://drd.sh/cart/R2hWFEhUK8hKv6jk/  

Zoom meeting information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81139377146?pwd=NLHBbnIEdvTUhRS2PvBgu6T2DYQnpU.1

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In an effort to increase both individual participation and group comradery, I, as President, and we, as the board, would like to see every club member be a participant on at least one of the 5 main committees set up for the 2026-27 year.  As you will recall from previous communications regarding the restructuring of committees, these are Member Development, Club Service, Community Service, Fundraising, and Finance.  Please see Club Runner for a recap of the responsibilities of each, consider which matches best with your talents and interests, and then, if you are not already a part of that committee, please reach out to the chairperson and let them know you would like to join and help.  If you are currently a part of a committee on which you feel you cannot or will not contribute, please get in touch with the chairperson to let them know that you will be switching to a different committee that better matches your skills and interests, and of course the chairperson of that new committee you will join.  Of course, we also welcome anyone who can contribute in multiple areas of service to join as many committees as they would like.

Current Chairs are as follows:

Member Development: Lori Knerr - lpage0104@gmail.com - 908-797-8186

Club Service: Bill Eckert - william.h.eckert1848@gmail.com - 610-360-1687

Community Service / Fundraising: Diane Donaher - dianedonaher7430@gmail.com - 610-442-8589

Finance: Rocco Damato - roccodamato45@gmail.com - 917-455-8940

We look forward to everyone getting involved in the valuable work this club does for our members, our own club, other organizations, and our community by aligning each of our individual strengths toward common goals.

Committee Chairs are reminded to please provide a report of participants, activities, meetings, plans, goals, etc. prior to the Club Board meeting this Wednesday (preferably by Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 8^th, 2026). 

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Board members are reminded that we have rescheduled our monthly meeting to this Wednesday, Sept. 9^th, 2026, immediately following the regular in-person club meeting at The Gathering Place.  We will have a brief discussion with DG Jeremiah Sensenig, followed by the regular board agenda.  I hope to see you all there for both meetings, but we will Zoom you in if necessary.

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Some of us remember when 50+ people gathered around the tables for our weekly Rotary lunch. Others have never been able to attend in person because of work or family schedules, but join us online.

But Rotary is so much bigger than a weekly meeting—and YOU are part of it! 

We are part of a worldwide movement of people who care about humanity and are committed to making a difference.

There are so many ways to connect beyond our club meetings: Rotary Leadership Institute in March, District Conference in April, or maybe even the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona in June! (I'm thinking about going! Discounted registration is available in mid-September.)

Yes, we raise money, pull weeds, and listen to speakers. But through every project, every connection and every act of service, we are making the world a better place.

Take 2 minutes to watch this video—and wait until you see the amazing connection 2 Rotarians made!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti0YVwWZzrE

We are Rotary. We are connected. Together, we create lasting impact.

President-Elect Diane